By Adrian Stewart Co

Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson assured of his return as Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the country with Japan and Indonesia.

The Utah Jazz guard has committed to arrive in the Philippines six weeks before the formal World Cup competition next year to join the national men’s basketball team’s preparation.

“Yeah,” Clarkson said when asked about his Gilas Pilipinas commitment to the FIBA World Cup. “We still have 360 days. We got some time to prepare and get ready for all of that.”

The just-concluded fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier was Clarkson’s second stint with Gilas Pilipinas after suiting up during the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

The one-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee had solid numbers in his Gilas return, as he delivered 27 points in the national men’s basketball team’s close 85-81 defeat to Lebanon last week.

Clarkson also showed appreciation to some of his Gilas teammates such as Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Dwight Ramos, who were all expected to be there for the FIBA World Cup next year.

“Seeing Kai Sotto, Carl, you know those guys right there, and Dwight, they’re just talented players,” Clarkson said. “For us, this is bright. We’re just getting this team together. We got some good young stars on the team.”

The 30-year-old Clarkson also shared that an added motivation for his national men’s basketball team return is his Filipina grandmother from Pampanga, who passed away some years ago.

“I know you are all looking at the bigger picture, but a lot of this is from my grandmother who passed away two or three years ago. I’m just trying to carry her name, make her proud,” Clarkson said.

“She’s been through a great amount of stuff to be a woman she was and to carry the family as she did, so that’s probably one of the reasons why I still do this. I represent the flag and represent the country to this day,” he added./ASC, WDJ